Two recently published studies report success with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome associated with COVID-19.

In a retrospective cohort study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, researchers analyzed clinical characteristics and outcomes of 492 patients treated with ECMO for COVID-19-associated ARDS at five ICUs within the Paris-Sorbonne University Hospital Network from March 8 to May 2. The researchers reported complete day-60 follow-up for 83 patients (median age, 49 years; 73% men) who received ECMO.